PRINCE Siam may be the most handsome dog at the racetrack, but he has been banned for life for his ugly temperament.

Prince was the toast of the track earlier this year when he scooped a prize for the prettiest dog at Belle Vue races.

But just weeks after his portrait was framed in the main building, he was turfed out of racing after fighting with his fellow competitors three times.

The two-year-old greyhound created a storm at the track after winning his first two races when he debuted as an unknown in July.

Soon he was odds-on to become a champion at the greyhound racing stadium on Kirkmanshulme Lane, in Gorton, Manchester.

His winning streak continued when he was voted the prettiest dog in the stadium two weeks later after a survey by schoolchildren.

But the tide turned for Prince when he bit the ear of another dog shortly after a race.

Violent

The animal needed stitches after Prince bit through his muzzle during a scuffle over the hare at the end of a race.

The race rules state that dogs that fight during the race should be banned. Although the race was over before Prince Siam turned on the other dog, race officials banned him for violent conduct because it is the third time it has happened.

His owner Dave Roberts says he doesn't know what to do with the dog and he is considering giving him away because he can't race.

For the last week, Prince has been languishing in kennels at Stockport, while his owner appealed against the decision, but now Dave has admitted defeat and he fears he will have to bring the dog home or find him another place because of mounting kennel bills of £120 a month.

Dave, 39, from Mossley, said: "There was a brawl after the race and Prince bit another dog's ear. He is normally very gentle and it was completely unlike him. I have never heard from Belle Vue that he had done this before.

"It's very sad because there aren't that many dog tracks in the north west and once he is banned from Belle Vue, he probably won't race again. I'm hoping that a trainer will have room for him in another kennels and he could race in amateur tracks. He is such a lovely looking dog. Maybe someone else could find him a home."

Dave spent £600 on Prince after finding him in Ireland and deciding to get involved in his favourite sport. After Prince's first races Dave had won most of his money back, netting £450 from two £50 bets on the dog.

John Gillburne, managing director of Belle Vue, said: "Once the dogs have crossed the line, the electrical hare continues about half a lap when the dogs can reach it, that's when it happened.

Prince Siam has done this three times. The vet who treated the other dog requested that Prince Siam should not be raced in the interests of greyhound welfare."

If you want to help Prince, contact Dave on 07745 825 955.

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